Dave’s Hot Chicken Expands Franchise in Arkansas and Missouri

Dave’s Hot Chicken, a Los Angeles-based fast-casual brand, has secured a new franchise deal with its original franchise group, QSR Magazine recently reported. The group, consisting of Deryl Pangelinan, Sean Varvello, Andrew Feghali and Lawrence Kourie, was the first to franchise the brand in 2020. They now plan to expand the brand's Nashville-style hot chicken offerings into Arkansas and Missouri with seven new locations.

The group has already made significant strides, initially signing a 12-unit development deal in San Diego County. They later expanded their portfolio to include Georgia, Nevada, Southern Arizona and New Mexico, with their first Georgia location supported by A-list investor Usher. They have also secured multi-unit development deals across Alabama, Florida and Virginia.

Feghali and Kourie were recognized as Franchisee of the Year by the International Franchise Association in 2023, cementing their importance to the brand’s rapid nationwide growth. Bill Phelps, CEO of Dave’s Hot Chicken, praised their leadership, highlighting their contributions to the company's expansion strategy.

Founded in 2017, Dave’s Hot Chicken started as a pop-up in a Los Angeles parking lot. The brand is expected to reach 275 locations by the end of 2024, following its milestone of 200 units earlier this year. With more than 218 locations open across the U.S., Canada and the Middle East, the brand continues to seek passionate operators to grow in new markets like Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico.